History

We remember

Past actions

Past Leaders

Timeline

IFCLA celebrated its 35th year with the 35th Annual Dinner at Maya Cafe.

In response to current politics, a DACA renewal clinic was held to support Missouri Dreamers.

The St. Louis Sanctuary Coalition is launched with the first Sanctuary cohort. Soon after, Alex Garcia takes Sanctuary at Christ Church UCC in Maplewood, Missouri.

2016:

IFCLA sent teams of volunteers to the Dilley Detention Center to work with women and children in detention to prepare for their credible fear interview, the first step in getting released from detention and on the road to qualifying for asylum.

IFCLA helped produce the documentary "Set My Hands to Heal/Dar mis manos para sanar" chronicling the life of Ann Manganaro and her work in El Salvador, which was released in 2013. This tremendous project began in 2007 when Christen and Rodney Parker-Yarnal began interviews.

IFCLA began organizing groups to go to the School of the Americas to protest US training of Latin American military at Fort Benning, GA.

1998:

Hurricane Mitch called forth a generous response from many who had lived, worked, or visited Nicaragua and a sister relationship was formed with a community in the Limay valley called Rio Abajo. For eight years, delegations brought funds raised to rebuild homes, provide water and electricity, and help develop cottage industries (sewing, pottery and corn grinding). Reyna Moreno was hired as organizer for the communities. This project ended in 2006.

1994:

Student immersion trips to Latin America begin.

1988:

In January, the Companion Community Project with Guarjila, El Salvador began. A delegation from IFCLA traveled to Guarjila to make a covenant with the community. This delegation was followed by many more, working to protect and defend human rights in El Salvador.

IFCLA continued to develop programs of education and advocacy, including national student immersion experiences, intern-run campaigns for sweat free communities, and sweat-free purchasing resolutions in the St. Louis area.

1984:

IFCLA discerned the decision to join the sanctuary movement and supported three sanctuaries in the St. Louis area through the 1980s until the Peace Accords were signed.

1983:

IFCLA began to send Witness for Peace long term-volunteers to Nicaragua and joined the Pledge of Resistance movement to stop the Reagan Administration from invading that country. Later, volunteers went to Guatemala to support the mothers of the disappeared and the communities in resistance through Peace Brigades International.

1982:

St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin American (IFCLA) was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission of accompaniment, education, and advocacy. IFCLA decided to establish the organization as non-hierarchical: a board of directors, consensus-driven core committee, and staff shared decision-making power. Additionally, an advisory committee composed of religious was formed to share experience and wisdom with IFCLA.

1979:

LASC produced a monthly newsletter and raised funds for literacy and health campaigns

LASC co-sponsored a conference at Webster University “Peoples in Struggle,” focusing on Nicaragua, Grenada and other liberation movements in Latin America.

1978:

LASC began meeting at the World Community Center

1977:

IFCLA began as the Greater St. Louis Latin America Solidarity Committee (LASC) with potluck suppers hosted between Chilean refugees, Latin American students, and folks personally interested.